The structure of a Russian bathhouse: traditions and elements

The Russian banya is more than just a place to steam; it’s a true culture, passed down from generation to generation. Originally created for washing, the banya gradually became a place for rituals, relaxation, and socializing. It’s a veritable water resort offering a variety of wellness treatments—a place for comfortable relaxation, warming up, and recharging.

In this article, we’ll cover the structure of a Russian banya in detail, including the unique features of each room.

Wooden Banya Construction

A wooden banya is a unique work of art, a world of fragrant wood and invigorating steam. Since ancient times, people have washed, recuperated, healed, socialized with loved ones, and relaxed there. Wedding ceremonies were held in Russian banyas and they were used as temporary accommodation. Aromatic and medicinal herbs and berries were dried in the attic.

When beginning construction, the location was carefully chosen, the size and layout of the room were carefully considered. A traditional Russian banya is not very large, consisting of a dressing room, a washroom, and a steam room with a stove. Without a steam room, the banya becomes a simple shower.

Antechamber Construction: How It Was Built and Furnished

The dressing room is the first room a banya visitor enters. This is where they prepare for the bathing experience, so it is important to create a comfortable atmosphere and provide the necessary amenities. In a traditional Russian banya, the dressing room contained a bench and a chest or clothes rack. The room itself was small, separated from the washroom by a wooden wall with a tightly closing door. The door prevented steam from entering the changing room, maintaining the temperature in the heated rooms.

In modern bathhouses, the changing room is often used not only as a dressing room but also as a space for heating, eating, and relaxing. Therefore, the room is equipped with a bench and clothes rack, a dining area, and a lounge chair or comfortable armchairs. This makes the bathhouse experience more cozy and comfortable. A well-equipped changing room is a great place to chat with loved ones, drink some cool kvass, and refresh yourself between visits to the steam room.

Installing a washroom in a sauna

Installing a separate washroom in a sauna is a cost-effective and convenient solution. It will keep the washroom cool, and it will be easier to maintain the desired temperature in the steam room.

The washroom must have:

stable, durable benches made of natural wood;

a shower head or a raised wooden tub;

storage space for shampoos, soaps, scrubs, and dry massage brushes.

Additionally, you can install a lightweight massage trestle, a plunge pool, or a small pool. To add a traditional feel to a wooden sauna, place dried bouquets of aromatic herbs and fir branches in the corners of the washroom, filling the sauna with a pleasant aroma. Instead of herbs, you can use special fragrances and natural oils.

Since washing is a dynamic process, it is important that each user has enough space. There should be at least 1 m2 of free space per person.ного пространства; лавки, купель, душ не должны мешать банным процедурам и передвижению​

Steam room design in a banya

The steam room is the very reason a banya is built. It is here that the ritual of steaming and healing takes place. Only in a space that’s thoughtfully designed, down to the last detail, and recharged with the help of a steam therapist can you truly unwind, recharge, and release negativity and stress. Everything is important: from the bench material to the aromatherapy components.

What a steam room should be like

The steam room in a banya is a special place with the highest temperature. It’s here that relaxation, cleansing, and the elimination of toxins occur.

The steam room in a Russian banya can be called a steam-air sauna. The microclimate is typically characterized by a temperature of 60-70 degrees Celsius and a moderate humidity level (60-65%), which can be adjusted by sprinkling water on the hot stones on the stove.

An essential part of a steam room is a brick or stone stove, on which cobblestones are placed. Under the influence of high temperature, water poured onto the stones instantly turns into steam, filling the room. The steam settles on the skin as a thin film of water, creating a greenhouse effect, increasing sweating, and cleansing the body.

Dead skin cells can be removed with a stiff brush, loofah, or scrub. At Siberia saunas, cleansing is performed by experienced steam therapists during the fourth visit to the steam room. Cleansing bath treatments include scrubs based on natural ingredients, phyto-salt rolling with mint, sweet clover, and meadowsweet.

The comfort of a steam room directly depends on the benches. Typically, benches are made of slats, leaving a small space between them for water drainage. You can cover the benches with a hay mattress or fir branches. This solution will fill the air with a pleasant aroma and evoke memories of childhood and outdoor recreation.

And, of course, any steam room should have brooms:

birch;

Linden;

Oak;

Juniper;

Fir.

Steam bath enthusiasts always have several brooms made of different types of wood, as each has its own character and healing properties. Steam bath professionals withомощью веников проводят оздоровительный массаж, снимают напряжение, расслабляют.​

What a steam room should be like

The steam room in a banya is a special place with the highest temperature. It promotes relaxation, cleansing, and the elimination of toxins from the body.

The steam room in a Russian banya can be called a steam-air sauna. The room’s microclimate is typically 60-70 degrees Celsius and has a moderate humidity level (60-65%), which can be adjusted by sprinkling water on the hot stones on the stove.

An essential part of the steam room is a brick or stone stove, on which cobblestones are placed. Under the influence of high temperature, water poured onto the stones instantly turns into steam, filling the room. The steam settles on the skin as a thin film of water, creating a greenhouse effect, increasing sweating, and cleansing the body.

Dead skin cells can be removed with a stiff brush, loofah, or scrub. At Siberia banyas, exfoliation is performed by experienced steam therapists during the fourth visit to the steam room. Cleansing bath treatments use scrubs made from natural ingredients, as well as phyto-salt rolling with mint, sweet clover, and meadowsweet.

The comfort of a steam room depends directly on the benches. These are typically made of slats, leaving a small space between them for water drainage. You can also cover the benches with a hay mattress or fir branches. This will fill the air with a pleasant aroma and evoke memories of childhood and outdoor recreation.

And, of course, any steam room should have bath whisks:

birch;

linden;

oak;

juniper;

fir.

Steam lovers always have several bath whisks made of different types of wood, as each has its own character and healing properties. Bath masters use bath whisks to perform therapeutic massages, relieve tension, and promote relaxation.

Ceiling, walls, and floor

They say that even the walls of a house heal. This statement is also true for the sauna, as all surfaces are lined with natural wood: aspen, larch, cedar, birch, linden, or alder. When the room heats up, the wood releases essential oils and resins. These have a pleasant scent and disinfect the air. Inhaling the steam, filled with beneficial substances, provides a natural inhalation and strengthens the immune system.

Brooms and bouquets of aromatic herbs can be used to decorate the walls. Wooden lampshades can be installed on the lamps.

Windows and Doors

The temperature in the sauna should not only be high but also constant. Tightly closing doors and the absence of windows help retain heat. Some saunas have windows, but these serve more of a decorative purpose. A large window is unsuitable (heat will leak), and a small one won’t provide sufficient light for adequate illumination.

At the Siberia sauna complex, there are no windows in the sauna rooms or washrooms. This allows you to conserve heat and create the right atmosphere at any time of day and in any weather.

Conclusion

The Russian banya is a unique place where tradition and modern trends blend. The design of a wood-fired Russian banya, from the changing room to the steam room, plays a vital role in creating an atmosphere of comfort and wellness. Every element, even the most seemingly insignificant, has a significant impact.льшое значение и помогает превратить банные процедуры в путешествие в прошлое.